Tortilla-packaging box and support apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a tortilla housing and support apparatus, configured to be manipulated so that the housing performs as a tortilla support device that provides vertical support to at least one tortilla. The tortilla housing and support apparatus is initially used as a tortilla-packaging box, such as tortilla boxes currently in use at supermarkets for housing tortillas. The tortilla housing has a configuration so that it may be manipulated from serving as packaging so that it performs as a tortilla support device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application generally relates to food packaging configuredto be manipulated so that the packaging performs as a dinning supportapparatus for transporting and supporting in an upright position tacos,tortillas, fajitas, burritos, wraps, gorditas, chalupas and the like.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Mexican food, particularly those dishes that utilize tacos andtortillas, has become very popular in the United States. The Mexicanfoods market, including the fast food, dine-in/sit down restaurant andthe home production and consumption segments, has grown into amulti-billion dollar industry. Many individuals enjoy the fast food andrestaurant version of Mexican taco and tortilla-based dishes, while manyothers prefer to construct their taco and tortilla-based dishes at homeusing fresh ingredients. However, the nature of many popular taco andtortilla dishes present several undesirable problems for taco andtortilla preparers and consumers.

[0003] One such problem encountered in preparation of tacos andtortillas is that, since taco shells have a rounded base and tortillasrevert to a flat disc shape when not held in hand, it is very difficultto support taco shells and tortillas in an upright or manageably stableposition while filling the taco and tortilla, respectively, with thedesired ingredients, such as meat, beans, vegetables, and/or salsa, etc.Unfortunately, the taco and tortilla builder's effort often results in amess wherein many of the taco ingredients end up outside the taco shellor in unmanageable proportions on tortillas during the constructionprocess. There is therefore a need for a taco shell and tortilla supportdevice, which will support tacos and tortillas in a position to reducewaste and mess and simplify the taco and tortilla filling process.

[0004] Moreover, following preparation of tacos and tortillas, tacos arepresented on their side on a plate. This can lead to much of the tacofilling falling out of the taco shell onto the plate. When tortillas arepresented on a plate, they lay open and are presented as a mound ofingredients that tend to distribute all over the tortilla, thus causingthe loss of tortilla fillings when the consumer picks up the tortillafilled with ingredients. Tacos and tortillas are currently transportedand supported by plates, papers or an apparatus such as that disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,224. When paper or plates are used as transportor support devices, they yield the undesirable need for action by thefood consumer to replace or redistribute the taco and tortilla fillingsin the tortilla shell. Further, the presentation of tacos and tortillason paper or plates is not the most aesthetically pleasing method andcould subtract from the entire eating experience.

[0005] Another problem that is occurring in the Mexican foods market,including the fast food, dine-in/sit down restaurant and the homeproduction and consumption segments, is that there is substantial wasteoccurring as a result of the inefficient use of packaging and supportmaterials. In the fast food, dine-in/sit down restaurant segment, tacosand tortillas are packaged and provided to the customer wrapped inpaper. The paper is then discarded and the tacos and/or tortillas aresupported and presented on a plate. In the home production andconsumption segment, taco and tortilla kits are sold in boxes filledwith taco and/or tortilla shells and fillings, including meat seasoning.In this environment the box used as packaging is discarded. The tacosand tortillas are then prepared and presented on their side on paper ora standard dinner plate. There is a need for taco and tortilla packagingthat can serve as initial packaging and as the transport and supportapparatus in the fast food, dine-in/sit down restaurant and the homeproduction and consumption segments. The packaging needed would preventwaste associated with having separate packaging and support apparatuses.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved tortilla packagingand support apparatus. The present invention provides a solution to manyproblems, such as those discussed above, currently faced in theindustry.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention comprises a tortilla housing and supportdevice configured to be manipulated so that the housing, which initiallyperforms as packaging, performs as a tortilla support device thatprovides vertical support to at least one tortilla. In one embodiment ofthe invention the tortilla housing and support device comprises asubstantially rectangular box, which has four sidewalls, a base plateand a top wall. The top wall includes perforated regions that areconfigured to be manipulated to create tortilla-receiving chambersaccessed through the top wall. The tortilla receiving chambers providevertical support to tortillas positioned therein. In one embodiment, theperforated regions provide for the complete removal of a section of thetop wall, thereby creating an opening to a chamber for positioningtortillas therein. In another embodiment, the perforated regions are inan “I” shape and the tortilla-receiving chambers that are accessedthrough the top wall are created by placing downward pressure on theperforations and thereby creating tortilla receiving chambers in thetortilla housing that provide vertical support to tortillas. Thetortilla receiving chambers include sidewalls that are created from theportions of the top wall that are folded downward into the tortillareceiving chambers. Another embodiment of the tortilla housing andsupport device comprises a tortilla housing having a tortilla supportdevice configured into the bottom plate of the tortilla support device.

[0008] These and various other features as well as advantages whichcharacterize the present invention will be apparent from a reading ofthe following detailed description and a review of the associateddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a tortilla housing andsupport apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a tortilla housing andsupport apparatus according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0011]FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a tortilla housing andsupport apparatus, having an interior non-collapsible tortilla supportdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a tortilla housing andsupport apparatus, having an interior non-collapsible tortilla supportdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a tortilla housing andsupport apparatus, having an interior collapsible support device,according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment tortilla housing and supportapparatus, having an interior non-collapsible tortilla support device,according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment tortilla housing and supportapparatus, having an interior collapsible support device, according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a tortilla housing andsupport apparatus, having an interior accordion style collapsiblesupport device, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0017]FIG. 9 illustrates the embodiment of a tortilla housing andsupport apparatus, illustrated in FIG. 8, showing the interior accordionstyle collapsible support device in its fully collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present invention is a tortilla packaging that is configuredsuch that it may be manipulated to perform as a tortilla supportapparatus that provides vertical support to tortillas. As used herein,the definition of the term “tortilla” refers to and comprises hardu-shaped shells, soft taco shells, fajitas, burritos, wraps, gorditas,chalupas and any other edible soft or hard shell food support deviceresembling hard and soft shell tacos, fajitas, burritos, wraps,gorditas, chalupas and wraps. In one embodiment of the invention, thetortilla packaging housing initially performs as a tortilla packagingthat houses the tortillas, such as the tortilla boxes (“tortillahousings”) used in the sale of tortillas in supermarkets. The tortillahousing is configured such that it may be converted into a tortillasupport apparatus whereby tortillas may be supported in an uprightposition allowing the tortilla ingredients to be added and supportedwithout spilling. In other embodiments the tortilla support apparatus isconfigured directly into the bottom of the tortilla housing as acollapsible or non-collapsible support device.

[0019]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, illustrating atortilla housing 100 configured for conversion to a tortilla supportapparatus. In this embodiment, the tortilla housing initially performsas a tortilla packaging that houses the tortillas, such as the tortillaboxes (“tortilla housings”) used in the sale of tortillas insupermarkets. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the tortillasupport apparatus 100 comprises a substantially rectangular box, whichhas four sidewalls (only two shown 102, 104), a base plate (not shown)and a top wall 130 with three perforated regions 110, 111 and 112. It isto be understood that the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is not in anywayintended to limit the number of perforated regions to three. The presentinvention contemplates the use of any number of perforated regions solong as the regions are of a size allowing for creation of tortillareceiving chambers of a size sufficient to receive tortillas. FIG. 1further shows rectangular tear-away segments 120, 121 and 122. Therectangular tear-away segments 120, 121 and 122 have perforated edges,which engage and couple to the perforated regions 110, 111 and 112. Onlyone rectangular tear-away segment 120 is shown removed, creating anopening in the top wall 130 and thereby a tortilla-receiving chamber140A, in the tortilla support apparatus 100. It is to be understood thatthe embodiment shown is not in anyway intended to limit the tear awaysegments to being rectangular in shape. The present inventioncontemplates the use of oval tear away segments, oval tortilla-receivingchambers and tear away segments that create tortilla-receiving chambersof any shape that can receive tortillas.

[0020] A user would place the tortilla support apparatus 100 on asurface then detach the desired number of tear-away segments 120, 121and 122 from the top wall 130 of the support apparatus 100, along theperforated regions 110, 111 and 112. As a result, tortilla-receivingchambers 140 are formed. The user of the tortilla support apparatus 100may now position tortillas within the tortilla-receiving chambers 140A,140B, and 140C. While tortillas are positioned in a tortilla receivingchambers 140A, 140B, and 140C, the tortillas enjoys lateral support fromthe lengthwise portions 150, 152 and 154 of the perforated regions 110,111 and 112. In another embodiment of the present invention, one of theside walls separating the top wall 130 from the bottom wall, or baseplate (not shown), provides a means to access the interior of thetortilla support apparatus 100 to securely close it again. In analternative embodiment, the structure illustrated in FIG. 1 would be asupport apparatus only and not a tortilla package or housing. Theembodiment would simply perform the tortilla support and transportationfeatures and would not serve as a package. In such an embodiment, theheight of the tortilla housing 100 would be shortened such that theheight prevents the tortilla housing 100 from having a size sufficientto perform as packaging for tortillas. However, the height would be sethigh enough so that the tortilla housing 100 performs as a supportapparatus.

[0021]FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a tortilla housing andsupport apparatus 200 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. The tortilla housing and support apparatus 200 comprises agenerally rectangular housing having four sidewalls (only two are shown202, 204), a base plate (not shown) and a top wall 230. The top wall 230is configured with perforated regions defined by intersectingperforation sets configured to form a shape similar to the letter “I.”When downward force is applied to the “I” shaped intersectingperforation sets, tortilla-receiving chambers 206, 208 and 210 arecreated. Tortilla receiving chamber 206 is created after applyingdownward force on intersecting perforation sets 210, 212 and 214.Tortilla receiving chamber 208 is created after applying downward forceon intersecting perforation sets 216, 218 and 220. Tortilla receivingchamber 210 is created after applying downward force on intersectingperforation sets 222, 224 and 226. FIG. 2 illustrates that there areonly three “I” shaped perforated regions. However, one skilled in theart could appreciate that one could implement a tortilla housing andsupport apparatus 200 with more or less “I” shaped perforated regions,and still be within the scope of the present invention.

[0022] A user would begin utilizing the tortilla housing and supportapparatus 200 by placing it 200 on a surface, and then depressing, orapplying vertical downward force upon the “I” shaped intersectingperforation sets. FIG. 2 illustrates how tortilla-receiving chamber 208is created after applying downward force on the “I” shaped intersectingperforation sets 216, 218 and 220. As a result, the first 240 and second242 portions derived from the “I” shaped intersecting perforation sets216, 218 and 220 of the top wall 230 would separate and move below theplane of the top plate 230. First 240 and second 242 portions derivedfrom the “I” shaped intersecting perforation sets 216, 218 and 220 ofthe top wall 230 would inwardly deflect about the hinged region 244 and246, respectively, into the interior of the tortilla housing and supportapparatus 200. Thus, a tortilla-receiving chamber 208 is created. Thefirst 240 and second 242 portions derived from the “I” shapedintersecting perforation sets 216, 218 and 220 of the top wall 230 thenfunction as interior vertical support to a tortilla that the userpositions in the tortilla receiving chamber. In another embodiment ofthe present invention, one of the side walls separating the top wall 230from the bottom wall, or base plate (not shown), provides a means thatfunctions to provide access to the interior of the tortilla housing andsupport apparatus 200 and to securely close it 200 again. In analternative embodiment, the structure illustrated in FIG. 2 would be asupport apparatus only and not a tortilla package or housing. Theembodiment would simply perform the tortilla support and transportationfeatures and would not serve as a package. In such an embodiment, theheight of the tortilla housing 200 would be shortened such that theheight prevents the tortilla housing 200 from having a size sufficientto perform as packaging for tortillas. However, the height would be sethigh enough so that the tortilla housing 200 performs as a supportapparatus.

[0023]FIG. 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of a tortilla housingand support apparatus 300, having an interior non-collapsible tortillasupport device 310, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment of a tortilla housing and support apparatus300, according to the present invention, comprises a generallyrectangular housing having a first 320, second 322, third 324 and fourth326 sidewalls, a base plate 380 and a top wall 330. The top wall 330 isconfigured to partially detach and permit a top wall portion 331 tohingedly move from the original plane of the top wall. In one embodimentthe top wall portion 331 is outlined with perforations, by which a usermay detach the top wall portion 331 as discussed above. The top wallportion 331 is integrally coupled to a detachable portion 321 of thefirst sidewall 320, or flap, 321, which also can be outlined withperforations operative to permit its detachment. In another embodimentof the present invention the detachable portion 321 of the firstsidewall 320 provides a securement means so that it can securelyre-engage the non-detachable portion of the first sidewall 320. Thesecurement means may comprise an adhesive having the ability tore-attach the detachable portion 321 to the first sidewall 320. Thesecurement means may also be a slot (not shown) positioned on the firstsidewall 320, wherein the slot is structured to receive the flap 320.

[0024] Within the tortilla housing and support apparatus 300, a tortillasupport device 310 is integrally disposed within the interior of thegenerally rectangular housing. The tortilla support device 310 comprisesa first wall 360 (partially removed to show certain interior features),a second wall 362, a third wall 364, a fourth wall 366, a top wall 350and a bottom wall 380 respectively. The tortilla support device 310shares a common bottom surface with the generally rectangular housing,whereby the base plate 380 of the tortilla housing and support apparatus300 serves as the bottom wall 380 to the tortilla support device 310.Thus, the sidewalls 360, 362, 364 and 366 are integrally coupleddirectly to the base plate 380. The manner in which sidewalls 360, 362,364 and 366 are coupled to the base plate 380 in the present embodimentis by flaps (not shown) extending from each sidewall 360, 362, 364 and366. The flaps are permanently connected to the base plate 380. Themethod of attaching the tortilla support device 310 to the base plate380, described herein is not intended to limit the myriad of methods ofattaching the tortilla support device 310 to the base plate 380. Oneskilled in the art could appreciate that the present inventioncontemplates other methods of connecting the tortilla support device 310to the base plate 380. Further, the top wall 350 is integrally coupledto the sidewalls 360, 362, 364 and 366 and positioned above and parallelto the base wall 380. The top wall 350 is configured to provide aplurality of tortilla-receiving chambers 340, 342, 344 and 346. Thetortilla support device 310 is shown with the tortilla-receivingchambers 340, 342, 344 and 346 disposed parallel to the first wall 320,however, one skilled in the art could appreciate there are a number ofapplicable positions that are still within the scope of the presentinvention. Also, FIG. 3 shows a tortilla support device 310 that isrigid (i.e., non-collapsible), thus when the contents of the housing areremoved, the support device 310 is standing in operational position, ortortilla support position.

[0025] A user begins to operate the tortilla housing and supportapparatus 300, by placing it on a surface, then detaching the top wallportion 331. The user now has access to the interior of the tortillahousing and support apparatus 300 and thus the tortilla support device310. The user would then place tortillas within the tortilla-receivingchambers 340, 342, 344 and 346. As a result, tortillas are secured inthe tortilla-receiving chambers 340, 342, 344 and 346, thereby providinglateral support from the lengthwise portions of the tortilla supportdevice 310.

[0026]FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of a tortilla housingand support apparatus 400, having an interior non-collapsible tortillasupport device 410, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment of a tortilla housing and support apparatus400, according to the present invention, comprises a generallyrectangular housing having a first 420, second 422, third 424 and fourth426 sidewalls, a base plate 480 and a top wall 430. The top wall 430 isconfigured to partially detach and permit a top wall portion 431 tohingedly move from the original plane of the top wall 430. In oneembodiment the top wall portion 431 is outlined with perforations, bywhich a user may detach the top wall portion 431 as discussed above. Thetop wall portion 431 is integrally coupled to a detachable portion 421of the first sidewall 420, or flap, 421, which also can be outlined withperforations operative to permit its detachment. In another embodimentof the present invention the detachable portion 421 of the firstsidewall 420 provides a securement means so that it can securelyre-engage the non-detachable portion of the first wall 420. Thesecurement means may comprise an adhesive that provides for there-attachment of the detachable portion 421. The securement means mayalso be a slot (not shown) positioned on the first sidewall 420, whereinthe slot is structured to receive the flap 420.

[0027] Within the tortilla housing and support apparatus 400, a tortillasupport device 410 is integrally disposed within the interior of thegenerally rectangular housing. The tortilla support device 410 comprisesa first wall 470 (partially removed to show certain interior features),a second wall 460, a top wall 450 and a bottom wall 480 respectively.The tortilla support device 410 shares a common bottom surface with thegenerally rectangular housing, whereby the base plate 480 of thetortilla housing and support apparatus 400 serves as the bottom wall 480to the tortilla support device 410. Thus, the sidewalls are integrallycoupled directly to the base plate 480. The manner in which sidewalls470 and 460 are coupled to the base plate 480 in the present embodimentis by flaps (not shown) extending from each sidewall 470 and 460. Theflaps are permanently connected to the base plate 480. The method ofattaching the tortilla support device 410 to the base plate 480,described herein, is not intended to limit the myriad of methods ofattaching the tortilla support device 410 to the base plate 480. Thepresent invention contemplates other methods of connecting the tortillasupport device 410 to the base plate 480. Further, the top wall 450 isintegrally coupled to the sidewalls 460 and 470 and positioned above andparallel to the base wall 480. The top wall 450 is configured to providea plurality of tortilla-receiving chambers 440, 442, 444 and 446. Thetortilla support device 410 is shown with the tortilla-receivingchambers 440, 442, 444 and 446 disposed parallel to the first wall 420,however, one skilled in the art could appreciate there are a number ofapplicable positions that are still within the scope of the presentinvention. Also, FIG. 4 shows a tortilla support device 410 that isrigid (i.e., non-collapsible), thus when the contents of the housing areremoved, the support device 410 is standing in operational position, ortortilla support position.

[0028] A user begins to operate the tortilla housing and supportapparatus 400, by placing it on a surface, then detaching the top wallportion 431. The user now has access to the interior of the tortillahousing and support apparatus 400 and thus the tortilla support device410. The user would then place tortillas within the tortilla-receivingchambers 440, 442, 444 and 446. As a result, tortillas are secured inthe tortilla-receiving chambers 440, 442, 444 and 446, thereby providinglateral support from the lengthwise portions of the tortilla supportdevice 410.

[0029]FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a tortilla housing andsupport apparatus 500, having an interior collapsible tortilla supportdevice 510, according to another embodiment of the present invention.This embodiment of a tortilla housing and support apparatus 500,according to the present invention, comprises a generally rectangularhousing having a first 520, second 522, third 524 and fourth 526sidewalls, a base plate 580 and a top wall 530. The top wall 530 isconfigured to partially detach and permit a top wall portion 531 tohingedly move from the original plane of the top wall 530. In anotherembodiment, the top wall portion 531 is outlined with perforations, bywhich a user may detach the top wall portion 531 as discussed above. Thetop wall portion 531 is integrally coupled to a detachable portion 521of the first wall 531, or flap, 521, which also can be outlined withperforations operative to permit its detachment. In another embodimentof the present invention the detachable portion 521 of the first wall531 provides a securement means so that it can securely re-engage thenon-detachable portion of the first wall 531.

[0030] A tortilla support device 510, configured to be collapsible isshown in FIG. 5 in a generally flat storage position. The tortillasupport device 510 is integrally disposed within the interior of thegenerally rectangular housing 502. The tortilla support device 510comprises a first wall 560, a second wall 570, a top wall 550 and abottom wall 580, respectively. The tortilla support device 510 shares acommon bottom surface 580 with the generally rectangular housing,whereby the base plate 580 of the housing also serves as the bottom wall580 to the tortilla support device 510. Thus, the sidewalls 560 and 570of the tortilla support device 510 are integrally coupled directly tothe base plate 580. The top wall 550 is configured to provide aplurality of tortilla-receiving chambers 540, 542, 544 and 546.

[0031] In order to properly secure the tortilla support device 510 inits upright tortilla support position, the fourth wall 570 is hingedlyconnected to the top wall 550 and extends downward there from. A hingedfold 571 connects the top wall 550 and the fourth wall 570, operating toallow the fourth wall 570 to rotate towards the bottom wall 550.Foldably connected to the fourth wall 570 is a tab 575 which isoperative to extend through a tab-receiving slot (not shown) formed inthe second outer wall 570A adjacent base wall 580 and be releasablysecured in the slot (not shown). When the tortilla support device 510 isexpanded from its current flat storage position to its upright tortillasupport position (shown, for example, in FIG. 3), foldable tab 575 isbent inwards towards the second outer wall 570A and extended through thetab-receiving slot, thereby securing the tortilla support device 510 inits generally upright tortilla support position. The double wall formedby second outer wall 570A and flap 570 acts to prevent the tortillasupport device 510 from pivoting about any of the hinged folds 561, 563,and 571. If and when, it is desired to collapse the tortilla supportdevice 510 back to its generally flat storage position, show in FIG. 5,foldable tab 575 would be removed from the slot and the top wall 550would be brought into contact with base wall 580 as hinged folds 561,563, and 571 are pivoted. It is in this generally flat storage positionthat the tortilla support device 510 of this embodiment of a tortillahousing and support apparatus 500, according to the present invention,would be stored and likely sold as an element of a box of packagedtortillas such as that commonly found in supermarkets.

[0032] Once an individual purchases a box of tortillas, the individualwould take the tortillas to his or her domicile, prepare the tortillasaccording to the instructions provided by the tortilla manufacturer andprepare the tortilla filling ingredients, such as meat, refried beans,lettuce, onions, etc. As the tortillas are being cooked, the tortillasupport device 510 of the present invention would be expanded from itsgenerally flat storage position to the upright tortilla supportposition. Foldable tab 575 would then be folded towards the interior ofthe box and inserted into the receiving slot to support the box in theupright tortilla support position. Once all of the tortillas have beenconsumed, the tortilla support device 510 of the present invention maybe returned to its generally flat storage position for later use, or theentire no-mess tortilla housing and support apparatus 500 maybediscarded.

[0033]FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a tortilla housing andsupport apparatus 600, having an interior collapsible support device610, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Thisembodiment of a tortilla housing and support apparatus 600, according tothe present invention, comprises a generally rectangular housing havinga first 620, second 622, third 624 and fourth 626 sidewalls, a baseplate 680 and a top wall 630. The top wall 630 is configured topartially detach and permit a top wall portion 631 to hingedly move fromthe original plane of the top wall 630. In one embodiment the top wallportion 631 is outlined with perforations, by which a user may detachthe top wall portion 631 as discussed above. The top wall portion 631 isintegrally coupled to a detachable portion of the first sidewall, orflap, (not shown), which also can be outlined with perforationsoperative to permit its detachment. In another embodiment of the presentinvention the detachable portion of the first wall (not shown) providesa securement means so that it can securely re-engage the non-detachableportion of the first wall 620.

[0034] A rigid, tortilla support device 610, in a generally uprighttortilla support position, is integrally disposed within the interior ofthe generally rectangular housing. The tortilla support device 610comprises a first wall 670, a second wall 672, a third wall 674, afourth 676, a top wall 650 and a bottom wall 680, respectively. Thetortilla support device 610 shares a common bottom surface with thegenerally rectangular housing. In other words, the base plate 680 of thehousing also serves as the bottom wall 680 to the tortilla supportdevice 610. Thus, the sidewalls are integrally coupled directly to thebase plate 680. The top wall 650 is configured to provide a plurality oftortilla-receiving areas 640.

[0035] The tortilla support device 610 has a top wall 650 that is curvedto provide additional support for a tortilla supported therein. Each ofthe tortilla-receiving areas 640 will be formed in the top wall 650 andwould act to provide improved support for a tortilla supported thereinas the edges of each tortilla receiving area 640 would engage thetortilla at a higher point, thus increasing the stability of support forthe tortilla. Side walls 660 and 670 would provide additional supportfor the curved top wall 650 with 671, 672, and 673 on side wall 670extending through slots 650A, 650B, and 650C formed in top wall 650 tosecure the side wall 670 to top wall 650. Sidewall 660 would be securedto the top wall 650 in the same manner.

[0036]FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of a tortilla housingand support apparatus 700, having an interior collapsible support device710. This embodiment of a tortilla housing and support apparatus 700comprises a generally rectangular housing having a first 720, a second722, third 724 and fourth 726 sidewalls, a base plate 780 and a top wall730. The top wall 730 is configured to partially detach and permit a topwall portion 731 to hingedly move from the original plane of the topwall 730. In another embodiment, the top wall portion 731 is outlinedwith perforations, by which a user may detach the top wall portion 731as discussed above. The top wall portion 731 is integrally coupled to adetachable portion of the first sidewall 720, or flap, (not shown),which also can be outlined with perforations operative to permit itsdetachment. In another embodiment of the present invention thedetachable portion of the first wall 731 provides a securement means sothat it can securely re-engage the non-detachable portion of the firstwall 731.

[0037] A tortilla support device 710, in a generally flat storageposition, is integrally disposed within the interior of the generallyrectangular housing. The tortilla support device 710 comprises a firstwall, a second wall 760, a third wall, a fourth 770, a top wall 750 anda bottom wall 780, respectively. The tortilla support device 710 sharesa common bottom surface with the generally rectangular housing. In otherwords, the base plate 780 of the housing also serves as the bottom wall780 to the tortilla support device 710. Thus, the sidewalls areintegrally coupled directly to the base plate 780. The top wall 750 isconfigured to provide a plurality of tortilla-receiving areas 740, 742and 744.

[0038] In order to properly secure the tortilla support device 710 inits upright tortilla support position, the fourth wall 770 is hingedlyconnected to the top wall 750 and extending downwards there from. Thehinged fold 776 connecting top wall 750 and fourth wall 770 operates toallow the fourth wall 770 to rotate towards the bottom wall 750.Foldably connected to the fourth wall 770 is a tab 775 which isoperative to extend through a tab-receiving slot (not shown) formed inthe second outer wall 770A adjacent base wall 780. Tab 775 may bereleasably secured in the tab-receiving slot (not shown).

[0039] When the tortilla support device 710 is expanded from its currentflat storage position to its upright tortilla support position (shown,for example, in FIG. 6), foldable tab 775 is bent inwards towards thesecond outer wall 770A and extended through the tab-receiving slot,thereby securing the tortilla support device 710 in its generallyupright tortilla support position. The double wall formed by secondouter wall 770A and flap 770 acts to prevent the tortilla support device710 from pivoting about any of the hinged folds 761, 763, and 771.Sidewalls 760 and 770 provide additional support for the curved top wall750 and are secured to the top wall 750 in the same manner as thatdescribed for curved top wall 650 in FIG. 6. If, and when, it is desiredto collapse the tortilla support device 710 back to its generally flatstorage position, show in FIG. 7, foldable tab 775 would be removed fromthe slot and the top wall 750 would be brought into contact with basewall 780 as hinged folds 761, 763, and 771 are pivoted. It is in thisgenerally flat storage position that the tortilla support device 710 ofthis embodiment of a tortilla housing and support apparatus 700,according to the present invention, would be stored and likely sold asan element of a box of packaged tortillas such as that commonly found insupermarkets.

[0040]FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of a tortilla housingand support apparatus 800, having an interior collapsible tortillasupport device 810, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment of a tortilla housing and support apparatus800, according to the present invention, comprises a generallyrectangular housing having a first 820, second 822, third 824 and fourth826 sidewalls, a base plate 880 and a top wall 830. The top wall 830 isconfigured to partially detach and permit a top wall portion 831 tohingedly move from the original plane of the top wall 830. In oneembodiment the top wall portion 831 is outlined with perforations, bywhich a user may detach the top wall portion 831 as discussed above. Thetop wall portion 831 is integrally coupled to a detachable portion 821of the first sidewall 820, or flap, 821, which also can be outlined withperforations operative to permit its detachment. In another embodimentof the present invention the detachable portion 821 of the firstsidewall 820 provides a securement means so that it can securelyre-engage the non-detachable portion of the first wall 820. Thesecurement means may comprise an adhesive that provides for there-attachment of the detachable portion 821. The securement means mayalso be a slot (not shown) positioned on the first sidewall 820, whereinthe slot is structured to receive the flap 820.

[0041] Within the tortilla housing and support apparatus 800 is acollapsible tortilla support device 810 integrally disposed within theinterior of the generally rectangular housing. The tortilla supportdevice 810 collapses laterally as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Lateralcollapsing of the tortilla support device 810 provides for efficientstorage of the tortilla support device 810 and provides the user withmaximum usage of the tortilla-housing interior as a packaging storagedevice. The tortilla support device 810 comprises a first wall 870, asecond wall 860, a top wall 850 and a bottom wall 880 respectively. Thetop wall 850, of the tortilla support device 810, is pleated andcollapses laterally in an accordion style until the tortilla supportdevice 810 is laterally compressed compactly up against the fourthsidewall 826 as illustrated in FIG. 9. The tortilla support device 810shares a common bottom surface with the generally rectangular housing,whereby the base plate 880 of the tortilla housing and support apparatus800 serves as the bottom wall 880 to the tortilla support device 810.When the top plate 850 is completely extended, the tortilla supportdevice 810 resembles the tortilla support device illustrated in FIG. 4.With the top plate 850 completely extended, the first wall 870 of thetortilla support device 810 is connected to the base plate 880 by way oflatching a connection flap 874 into a connection slot 872 configuredinto the base plate 880. The second wall 840 in one embodiment ispermanently abutted up against the fourth sidewall 826 of the tortillahousing. In an alternative embodiment, the second wall 860 of thetortilla support device 810 is connected to the base plate 880 and thefirst wall 870 is permanently abutted up against the second sidewall 822of the tortilla housing. The method of attaching the tortilla supportdevice 810 to the base plate 480, and the tortilla housing 800 describedherein, is not intended to limit the myriad of methods of attaching thetortilla support device 810 to the base plate 880 and tortilla housing800. The present invention contemplates other methods of connecting thetortilla support device 810 to the base plate 880 and tortilla housing800. Further, the top wall 850 is integrally coupled to the sidewalls860 and 870 and positioned above and parallel to the base wall 880 whenthe top wall 850 is fully extended. The tortilla support device 810 isshown partially extended in FIG. 8. When fully extended, the top wall850 of the tortilla support device 810 is configured to provide aplurality of tortilla-receiving chambers 840, 842, 844 and 846 disposedparallel to the first wall 820. However, one skilled in the art couldappreciate there are a number of applicable positions for thetortilla-receiving chambers 840, 842, 844 and 846 that are still withinthe scope of the present invention.

[0042] A user begins to operate the tortilla housing and supportapparatus 800, by placing it on a surface, then detaching the top wallportion 831. The user now has access to the interior of the tortillahousing and support apparatus 800 and thus the tortilla support device810. The user would then have to decompress the tortilla supportapparatus 810 from its space saving position illustrated in FIG. 9. Whenthe tortilla support apparatus is fully extended and stabilized byplacing tab 874 into the connection slot 872 configured into the baseplate 880, the tortillas may be positioned within the fully conformedtortilla-receiving chambers 840, 842, 844 and 846, thereby providinglateral support from the lengthwise portions of the tortilla supportdevice 810.

[0043] While the invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. The foregoing description of the exemplary embodimentsof the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intendedthat the scope of the invention be limited not with this detaileddescription, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

We claim:
 1. An tortilla packaging box, comprising: a base plate;oppositely disposed first and second sidewalls, integrally coupled to afirst and second end of the base plate, respectively; oppositelydisposed third and fourth sidewalls, integrally coupled to a third andfourth end of the base plate, respectively; a top plate disposed,opposite the base plate, and integrally coupled to the first, second,third, and fourth sidewalls; and wherein the top plate includes at leastone perforated region configured to allow openings to be formed in thetop plate.
 2. The packaging box of claim 1, wherein the at least oneperforated region of the top plate is a detachable perforated regiondefined by a closed set of perforations, wherein the perforations aredisposed so as to generally form an elongated shape in a desiredlocation.
 3. The packaging box of claim 2, wherein the at least oneperforated region of the top plate forms an elongated oval.
 4. Thepackaging box of claim 2, wherein the at least one perforated region ofthe top plate further comprises a perforated tab portion, operative toprovide for detachment of the entire at least one perforated region. 5.The packaging box of claim 2, wherein after the at least one perforatedregion of the top plate is detached, the packaging box provides at leastone tortilla receiving chamber, defined by portions of the top platewhich detachably engage the at least one perforated region, operative toprovide support to at least one tortilla.
 6. The packaging box of claim2, wherein the at least one perforated region of the top plate whereinthe first side wall comprises a singular first and second portion,hingedly coupled to the base plate and top plate, respectively, andwherein further the second portion engages the first portion to securethe second portion to the first portion.
 7. The packaging box of claim6, wherein the engagement of the first portion to the second portion isperformed by a tab integrally coupled to the second portion, wherein thefirst portion has an adhesive applied thereto for securing the firstportion to the second portion.
 8. The packaging box of claim 6 whereinthe engagement of the first portion to the second portion is performedby a flap integrally coupled to the second portion, wherein the firstportion has a slit therein that is positioned for receiving the flap andthereby securing the second portion to the first portion.
 9. A tortillapackaging and support apparatus, for providing vertical support to atleast one tortilla, comprising: a base plate; oppositely disposed firstand second sidewalls, integrally coupled to a first and second end ofthe base plate, respectively; oppositely disposed third and fourthsidewalls, integrally coupled to a third and fourth end of the baseplate, respectively; and a top plate disposed opposite the base plateand integrally coupled to the first, second, third, and fourthsidewalls; wherein the top plate includes at least one perforateddepressible region that creates a tortilla-receiving chamber whendepressed, whereby a tortilla is supportably maintained.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one perforated depressibleregion on the top plate comprises oppositely disposed first and secondportions, wherein the first portion is hingedly coupled to top platealong a first edge and the second portion is hingedly coupled to topplate along a second edge, respectfully, wherein the first portion andsecond portions are coupled to each other along a perforated linearregion and coupled to the top plate in a perforated manner along allother edges except the first edge and the second edge.
 11. The apparatusof claim 10, wherein when force is applied to the perforated linearregion of the depressible region, the first and second portions hingedlydeflect so as to be disposed within the tortilla housing and supportapparatus, operative to provide internal, vertical support to atortilla.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the depressible regionfurther comprises a second perforated linear region that isperpendicularly disposed to the perforated linear region, at a first endof the perforated linear region, wherein further a third perforatedlinear region is perpendicularly disposed to the perforated linearregion, at a second end of the perforated linear region.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the depressible region is substantially anelongated oval.
 14. A tortilla packaging and support apparatus,comprising: a rectangular housing, comprising a base wall, a first,second, third and fourth sidewalls integrally coupled to the base wall,a top wall, opposite the base wall and integrally coupled to the first,second, third and fourth sidewalls, wherein the rectangular housing isconfigured to allow at least a portion of the top wall to be removed; atortilla support device, disposed within the rectangular housing,comprising opposing inner first and second walls and a first an innertop wall integrally coupled to the inner first and second walls, whereinthe inner top wall is positioned opposite the base wall; and at leastone tortilla-receiving slot formed in the inner top wall for receivingand supporting a tortilla shell.
 15. The tortilla packaging and supportapparatus of claim 14, wherein the top wall of the rectangular housingincludes a detachable region, operative to provide access to an interiorof the tortilla housing and the tortilla support device.
 16. Thetortilla packaging and support apparatus of claim 14, wherein the topwall of the housing is configured with a perforated region, operative toallow at least a portion of the top wall to be removed.
 17. The tortillapackaging and support apparatus of claim 14, wherein the inner top wallof the tortilla support device is convexly curved such that the centerof the inner top wall is spaced further from the base wall than the endsof the inner top wall, the curved top wall operative to provide improvedsupport for tortillas.
 18. The tortilla packaging and support apparatusof claim 14, wherein the tortilla support device includes opposing innerthird and fourth walls and an inner base wall wherein the opposing innerfirst and second walls and the opposing inner third and fourth walls areoperatively attached to and inner base wall, wherein the inner base wallis secured to the base wall.
 19. The tortilla packaging and supportapparatus of claim 14, wherein the tortilla support device iscollapsible to a flat storage position.
 20. The tortilla packaging andsupport apparatus of claim 18, wherein the tortilla support deviceincludes a flap having flap securement means mounted thereon, the flapfoldably connects to a portion of the inner base, the flap securementmeans operative to secure the flap to the inner top wall therebysecuring the tortilla support device in an upright tortilla supportposition.
 21. The tortilla packaging and support apparatus of claim 14,wherein the tortilla support device collapses laterally.
 22. Thetortilla packaging and support apparatus of claim 14, wherein the topwall of the tortilla support device is pleated and provides for lateralcollapsing of the tortilla support device.